Hikers found on Katahdin died from exposure, family says
By Leela Stockley, Bangor Daily News Staff
The two hikers whose bodies were found on Katahdin last week died from exposure during bad weather, a family member has said.
Tim Keiderling was found dead by a Maine Warden Service K9 search team on the Tablelands region near the summit of Katahdin. Esther Keiderling was found dead in a boulder area between the Cathedral and Saddle Trails off the Tablelands, roughly 1,000 feet from where her father was found, Baxter State Park Director Kevin Adam said.
The pair of hikers had attempted to climb Katahdin on Sunday, May 31. Family members became concerned when they did not make contact by the evening, and park rangers initiated a search for the hikers on Monday, June 1 after their vehicle was found in the day-use parking lot earlier that day.
Tim Keiderling, 58, and his daughter, Esther Keiderling, 28, both of Ulster Park, New York, were found dead after going missing on Katahdin in Baxter State Park.
According to Heinrich Arnold, Tim Keiderling’s brother-in-law, the pair of hikers faced extreme conditions and died of exposure to the elements. Arnold said in a video posted to Facebook on Sunday that the hike was a “bucket list” item for the Keiderlings.
“They hiked up that mountain to get a bigger vision, to see the world stretch out before them,” Arnold said in the video.
The Maine medical examiner’s office did not respond to multiple requests for comments. An autopsy report has not been released on either of the Keiderling’s deaths.
The hikers would have encountered rain, snow, heavy winds and freezing wind chill temperatures during their ascent, according to accounts from hikers and satellite and forecast data. According to National Weather Service officials, the summit of Katahdin was forecast to be “very windy” — 30 to 40 mph — with intermittent rain showers, temperatures steady in the mid 30s and wind chills around 19 degrees on May 31.
A funeral was held for both Tim and Esther Keiderling on Sunday, according to the Bruderhof Community Facebook page. The Keiderlings were involved with Bruderhof, a Christian faith community, which Arnold holds a leadership role in.
Tim Keiderling is survived by his wife of 31 years, Annemarie Keiderling, along with three other daughters and two sons, according to the joint obituary for both him and Esther.
Tim and Esther Keiderling were described by family members as outdoor and hiking enthusiasts who had experience hiking. Both hikers had trekked on the Adirondacks, according to Tim Keiderling’s brother Joe Keiderling, and had experience preparing for difficult hikes.